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an old man returns · Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 8

What fantastic news the event has been given the go ahead. I was very concerned when I heard of the IOM governments swift reaction, however there reaction to the UK allowing cattle movement was equally as swift.

Bray Hill beckons

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Faster by memory

lbart · Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 87

I for one am off to the Manx and am very very relieved that this
annoucement has been made !!

Thanks for the info.
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Thanks
lbart

Islandbiker · Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Isle Of Man

MGP 2007 Spectator Information Twisted Evil

17 August 2007

Manx Grand Prix 2007 Spectator Information

Welcome to the 2007 Manx Grand Prix Races!

This year more than ever your co-operation is needed to make sure that this year’s races are safe and successful and the threat that the foot and mouth disease presents, does not manage to find its way onto this beautiful Island.

Foot and Mouth – Latest Information
A number of the foot and mouth restrictions around the Island have recently been lifted including the blanket closure of Island footpaths; however unfenced paths crossing agricultural land remain closed.

The European Union issued Commission Decision 2007/552/EC on 6th August 2007, setting out interim protection measures which reinforced those already taken by the United Kingdom authorities following the outbreak there.

The measures included the culling of all animals on the infected holdings, the application of stringent movement restrictions and increased bio-security measures.

Whilst the Isle of Man was not subject to this Decision it was felt necessary to introduce our own restrictions in order to reduce any risk to Island agriculture, and to that end immediate controls were put in place on the Isle of Man for Foot and Mouth Disease. For more information go to www.gov.im/daff or call 01624 685844

Spectating
The Isle of Man’s Council of Ministers has agreed to let this years Manx Grand Prix take place providing a number of important restrictions are adhered to. They are –
• The majority of the Mountain section will be closed to spectators. Refer to points 21-25 for further information.
• Disinfection stations for marshals will be established around the course.
• Landowners will be advised to ensure livestock is moved away from the course a week prior to the event.
• Spectators will be advised to avoid being close to livestock; and use town areas and organised vantage points as much as possible.
• Spectating is NOT permitted on or around the footbridges around the course as access is required at all times.
There are still plenty of excellent viewing locations available though, and we’ve picked out some of the best to help you choose where to watch at this years Manx Grand Prix.

1. TT Grandstand
ACCESS: Via St Ninian’s Road. Start and finish point of the races with scoreboards, Manx Radio’s Race Control point and elevated tiered seating for approximately 700 spectators. Good views of start and finish with the fastest riders hitting 160mph as they complete their laps. Don’t miss the frantic activity as the leading riders make their pit stops. Great venue for soaking up the MGP atmosphere.
CATERING: You won’t go hungry. There’s loads of tasty stuff on sale from the vendors directly behind the grandstand.
TOILETS: Behind the grandstand building.
CHARGES: Tickets available from the TT Marshals Association Office priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children. Charges apply for race days only.

2. Noble’s Park
ACCESS: As grandstand. The stone wall provides a good low level view of start, finish and riders leaving the pits. You also get close as the bikes make their way back through the park after finishing. Parking as grandstand.
CATERING: As grandstand.
TOILETS: Behind the grandstand building.

3. St Ninian’s junction
ACCESS: From the outside of the course via Ballaquayle Road and from the inside of the course via Ballanard Road. Parking is restricted so you may have to park some distance away and walk. Spectator viewing is best from St Andrews Churchyard or St Ninian’s Playing fields. Footbridge over the course.
CATERING: Bray Hill Filling Station offers a selection of hot and cold food and drinks.

4. Bray Hill
ACCESS: From the outside of the course. Good viewing from the school playing fields. Lancaster Road, Hildesley Road and Malvern Road offer limited viewing on the left hand side of the course. At the bottom of the hill, Stoney Road, Thorny Road and Cronkbourne Road give views of riders accelerating away towards Quarterbridge. From the inside, Port-e-Chee Avenue off Ballanard Road offers access to the right hand side of the course towards the bottom of the hill. You can also access High View Road via a footpath from Port-e-Chee Avenue.

5. Quarterbridge
ACCESS: From the outside of the course you can get to Quarterbridge via Peel Road or the New Castletown Road where you can also park. A popular spot at this favourite vantage point is the grassy embankment on the corner. Riders can be seen taking the sharp right hand bend and then accelerating away towards Braddan Bridge.
CATERING & TOILETS: The Quarterbridge Hotel offers good beer and atmosphere with loads of TT photos on the walls. Hot meals, snacks and tea and coffee are also on offer.

6. Braddan Bridge
ACCESS: From the outside of the course via Vicarage Road or Saddle Road – there’s some free parking for about 50 motorbikes through the gate. There is a grandstand with seating for around 400 spectators giving a good view of the S-bend, and you can also spectate from the Church. From the inside of the course, vehicular access is via the TT access road nearby – in the run up to Braddan Bridge from Quarterbridge, spectating is forbidden on the left but you can watch from the embankment adjacent to the Jubilee Oak.
CATERING: Church Hall offers tea, coffee, cakes and more.
TOILETS: Church Hall & Grandstand.
CHARGES: A small charge is asked for entrance to the grandstand & the Church Grounds.

7. Union Mills
ACCESS: From the outside of the course via Lhergy Cripperty. From the inside of the course via Strang Road. Parking is some distance away so be prepared to walk. You can watch from the inside of the course, from Union Mills Chapel, and from the Memorial Hall. Viewing from the outside of the course is best from the Railway Inn, which has an elevated beer garden.
CATERING: Great hospitality at the Railway with loads on offer. Spar shop provides hot and cold drinks and snacks.
TOILETS: The Railway Inn and the Church Hall.

8. The Highlander
ACCESS: If you are going to the Highlander make a day of it as there’s no way out once the roads are closed. Super fast stretch of road makes for spectacular viewing. Good off-road parking for bikes opposite the restaurant.
CATERING: The Highlander Restaurant is closed during MGP fortnight so you’ll need to take your own supplies.

9. The Hawthorn
ACCESS: Again, there is no way out once the roads close, but parking is available adjacent to the Restaurant.
CATERING: Hawthorn Restaurant is closed during Practice week, but open on Race Days
TOILETS: The Hawthorn (at the owners discretion)

10. Ballacraine
ACCESS: Access can be gained from either Foxdale or St Johns once the course is closed. Roadside viewing only.

11. Glen Helen
ACCESS: Once the roads are closed you’re stuck. Glen Helen has ample parking for cars and bikes with good facilities and is also the home of the first Radio commentary point beyond the TT Grandstand. As well as viewing from the roadside entrance, you can walk over the bridge and spectate from behind the wall, and also climb up into the wooded area above for an elevated view of the action.
CATERING: Glen Helen Lodge Hotel is superb for food and drink, as is the excellent Swiss Chalet restaurant.
TOILETS: Glen Helen Lodge Hotel.

12. Douglas Road Corner and the Mitre Hotel
ACCESS: You can only get to Kirk Michael from the outside of the course, via the A3, once the roads are closed. Viewing in the first part of Kirk Michael is permitted from the school playing field and from the Mitre Hotel. From the junction you can see the approach to the right-hand bend into Kirk Michael – there is less visibility from the Mitre, but more beer and a great atmosphere.
CATERING: The Mitre Hotel has a good pub menu. It also has a small garden at the back with a playground for when the kids get bored.
TOILETS: The Mitre Hotel, also portaloos at Glen Wyllin campsite, if you’re outside the course.

13. Kirk Michael village
ACCESS: There are quite a few small spots for spectators in the village itself. Several side roads all offer limited accommodation. Needless to say, you’re pretty stuck once the roads are closed.

14. Ballaugh Bridge
ACCESS: From outside the course via the A10 from the Cronk, from the inside via the Druidale Road. After getting airborne over the hump-backed bridge, the riders speed away through the village. Viewing is permitted from behind the barriers at both sides of the junction. The outside has better visibility while the inside has the Raven Hotel. From the Raven you can watch from the car park.
CATERING: The One-Stop Shop outside the course sells tea, coffee, hot snacks and groceries. The Raven Hotel has pub meals, good beer and soft drinks.
TOILETS: The Raven Hotel; there are also public conveniences opposite the One-Stop Shop.

15. Quarry Bends
ACCESS: From outside the course you can approach Quarry Bends using the old railway line from the Ballacrye Road. There’s parking for bikes and cars in the Wildlife Park car park – please respect prohibited areas – and viewing is pretty good too.
CATERING: The Wildlife Park cafeteria has a good range of meals, snacks and hot and cold drinks. If the racing gets a bit boring go and check-out the exotic animals on display instead!
TOILET: Toilets in car park.

16. Sulby Crossroads
ACCESS: From the outside of the course via the A14 from Sandygate. From the inside, the A14 from the Bungalow on the mountain. At Sulby there’s great high speed action as the bikes tear along the straight – blink and you’ll miss ‘em. You can also use the Claddaghs Road to get to the Ginger Hall.
CATERING: The Sulby Hotel is a top MGP venue with loads of atmosphere, good food and good beer.
TOILETS: The Sulby Hotel. If you’re inside the course you can nip to the Claddaghs or head to the Ginger Hall.

17. Sulby Village and Bridge
ACCESS: A view of the bridge is possible from the field on the outside of the course.
CATERING: There’s often some local hospitality on race days; tea and coffee and cakes.
TOILETS: None

18. Ginger Hall
ACCESS: From the inside of the course via the A14 Sulby Road from the Bungalow – or arrive early, before the roads close, as this pub is a popular spectator venue. Views of the approach from Sulby Bridge and exit towards Kerrowmoar.
CATERING: Good beer and food available from the Ginger Hall. There’s also a children’s play area in the garden.
TOILETS: Ginger Hall

19. Parliament Square, Ramsey
ACCESS: From the outside of the course via the A2 coast road. No access from the inside once the roads close. Parliament Square is a very popular place to spectate from with loads of room and good views as the riders brake into the right-hander, accelerate across the square and sweep out via a fast left-hander. Footbridge near the Bus Station provides access to both sides of the course – and the two pubs The Swan and The Central on either side of the course.
CATERING: No shortage here with pubs, and take-aways, Shoprite and other shops all close at hand.
TOILETS: The Swan or The Central. The Swan is wheelchair friendly. There are also public loos next to Shoprite.

20. May Hill and Whitegate
ACCESS: From the outside of the course, Parsonage Road gives a wide view of May Hill. Leave your vehicle in Lheaney Road for a limited view of the Whitegate right-hander.
CATERING: All facilities in Ramsey

21. Stella Maris and the Hairpin
ACCESS: No parking at Stella Maris so leave your bike in Lheaney Road and walk up the road. Stella Maris is a private residence allowing spectator access and its elevated position gives great views of the run up from May Hill and then the approach to the Hairpin. At the Hairpin itself, Manx Radio’s second commentary point relays all the excitement as the riders negotiate the bend at the start of their climb up the Mountain. There’s limited spectating from the grassy area on the inside of the bend but viewing spots are available further up the bank and on the outside from the trees.

22. Gooseneck
ACCESS: Access is possible using the A15 Hibernian back road which turns off the main coast road running between Douglas and Ramsey. You can park in the field.
TOILETS: Portaloo situated at Gooseneck.

23. Bungalow
ACCESS: From the outside of the course you can take the electric tram from Laxey to Bungalow. Parking is available in the former Motorcycle Museum car park where there are loads of spaces. From the Bungalow you can cross the road using the Footbridge to get a different perspective. The view from the Bungalow is one of the longest on the course, all the way from the exit at Verandah to the entry into Brandywell, some 1.5 miles later.
TOILETS: Toilets situated in MER station

24. Keppel Gate
ACCESS: Via the course before the roads close for the best viewing positions. Great views on a spectacular section of the course.
CATERING: None
TOILETS: Portaloo in Car Park

25. Creg-ny-Baa
ACCESS: Via the B12 Laxey back road if the roads have already closed. There’s loads of parking at the Creg and it’s a very popular place to watch from. Spectacular action on one of the fastest parts of the course.
CATERING: You will find everything you need at the excellent Creg-ny- Baa.
TOILETS: Creg-ny-Baa

26. Hillberry
ACCESS: Approach Hillberry via the Little Mill Road in Onchan. There’s a 200-seat grandstand with a great view of this fast right-hander.
CATERING: Catering unit offering hot & cold drinks etc
TOILETS: Portaloo
CHARGES: There is a charge to view from the grandstand during races, a lesser charge for practices.

27. Signpost Corner
ACCESS: From outside the course via Onchan. Parking is on the road or in the housing estate. Signpost is very popular and the private house owned by the Bullock family is open to the public on race days for a donation to the Helicopter Fund, with good views from a great position.

28. Governor’s Bridge
ACCESS: From the outside of the course via Blackberry Lane or the main road from Onchan. Governor’s Bridge is great for photographs as the riders slow right down for the tight righthander. You can also spectate from the top of Victoria Road.

29. Glencrutchery Road
ACCESS: From the outside of the course via Victoria Road or Dukes Avenue. This area is also within walking distance of the TT Grandstand. You can spectate from unrestricted areas of the Glenside Residential Home, from the entrances of Third Avenue, Second Avenue, First Avenue and Greenfield Road. The playing fields next to Police Headquarters are also a popular and spacious area to spectate from, with views of the entrance to the pits and grandstand action.